Accessible Assessment: The research

Last week at the Innovations in Testing Conference in Dallas, I was lucky enough to speak to Barbara Henderson from the Accessible Tests Department of the American Printing House for the Blind. She has sent me links to some of their research, which is very relevant to anyone interested delivering accessible on screen examinations.

While we already use a suitable sans-serif font, the APH have developed a special font for optimal readability.

They have also published a full guide to Making Tests Accessible for Students with Visual Impairments. After giving the guide a quick read, we're delighted to see Learnosity's OnScreen assessment products conform to the relevant areas here.

The following are some of the other links which I found very useful. They are a must-read for anyone delivering assessments.

• Guidelines for Design of Tactile Graphics
• An Accommodations Guide for Parents and Students with Visual Impairments American Foundation for the Blind, 2005.
• Checklist for Administration of Tests to Students with Visual Impairments American Foundation for the Blind, 2005.
• Considerations for the Development and Review of Universally Designed Assessments National Center for Educational Outcomes (NCEO), Technical Report #42, November 2005.
• New Issues in Assessment for Children with Visual Impairments EnVision, Spring 2005.